MALACHI: HEARTS OF STONE - A Survey of the Bible
Malachi: Hearts of Stone
A Survey of the Bible
For bulletin in. PDF form, click here.
Malachi Chart - Wilson
Malachi Summary - Ross
The Historical Background of Malachi - Ross
The Message of Malachi - Joyce Baldwin
The Biblical and Theological Emphasis of Malachi - Ross
Between the Testaments - Wilson
Context: Who, Where, When and Why?
• Who composed Malachi?
• Who is Malachi’s audience?
• When was Malachi written?
• Where were he and his audience?
• Why was he writing?
Content: How and What?
• How is Malachi organized?
• Prologue: The Oracle that Malachi delivered to Israel (1:1)
• The Lord’s Love for Israel (1:2-5)
• Contemptible Sacrifices and Corrupted Priests (1:6-2:9)
• Profaning the Covenant by Divorce (2:10-16)
• Wearying the Lord with Charges of Injustice (2:17-3:5)
• Turning Away and Robbing God (3:6-12)
• Blasphemy Against the Lord (3:13-4:3)
• Epilogue: Obey the Law of Moses and Wait for Elijah the Prophet (4:4-6)
• What is the message of Malachi?
Conviction: So What?
• Where does this fit?
- Malachi presents a very direct and harsh message calling God’s people to examine their hearts as well as their actions.
- Malachi looks below the surface and exposes a lack of thankfulness and genuine worship.
- Malachi makes a correlation between the fidelity of our relationships and our worship.
- As the last book in the Old Testament Malachi also looks forward with a clear promise of the coming Messiah—Jesus Christ (3:1-5; 4:1-3)
• What should we believe?
- God is utterly offended by us giving Him less than our best. He deserves our best.
- When our lifestyle does not match our profession our service is unacceptable.
- Ritualism is Hypocrisy! Going through the motions of worship without an engaged heart is worthless.
• How should we behave?
- Examining our hearts and our motives as we examine our service (worship, giving, and relationships).
- Fully trusting God to do all He has promised. But trusting His timeline as well.
- Guarding our spirit and not breaking faith with God or others (2:16).
Next Steps
• Ask yourself, and some others, if your lifestyle matches your profession. Ask your kids.
• Align your heart with your actions. Make real adjustments in both where needed.
• Keep your hope alive as you wait for the “second coming” of our desire (3:1) who will bring healing (4:2)
This Week’s Growth Guide
God’s Word is both central and critical to your spiritual growth. We invite you to utilize the Growth Guide during the week to further your application of the Truth from the message.
•. Monday - Malachi 1:1-5
•. Tuesday - Malachi 1:6-2:9
•. Wednesday - Malachi 2:10-16
•. Thursday - Malachi 2:17-3:5
•. Friday - Malachi 3:6-3:12
•. Saturday - Malachi 3:13-4:3
•. Sunday - Malachi 4:4-6
Home Church
Our Home Churches meet weekly to facilitate quicker relational depth, study the same passage taught
Sunday to help apply Scripture in the context of community, and pray with one another.
Home Church Questions
• Read Malachi 1:1-2:9.
• What about the message captured your attention?
• Is there an obvious application for you personally? How will you take a step forward related to this?
• After their return from exile, the cynicism of the Israelites was reflected in the prophet’s first response, “How have you loved us?” (1:2). Have there been times in your life when you doubted God’s love for you?” What should one do when those doubts creep in?
• In 1:6, God presented Himself as “Father” and “Master.” What does each of these characterizations teach us about our relationship with God? What is the effect on one’s walk with the Lord when one is emphasized over the other?
• God accused the Jews of dishonoring Him with cheap substitutes (1:6-14). What would be cheap substitutes in our worship of God today?
• God’s second accusation against the returning Jews was twofold, marrying women who worshipped false gods and unfaithfulness to one’s wife (2:10-16). How is faithfulness to God and faithfulness to your spouse related? How does this relate to the issue of divorce?
• While we are instructed not to test God by making demands of Him, here God invites you to test Him (v. 10 cf. Deut. 6:16). According to verses 10-12, what does God promise to those who are “generous” and “cheerful” givers? Discuss your struggle with responding to God’s challenge of faith.
• The Jews complained in 3:14-15 that they weren’t getting anything out of their relationship with God. What is wrong with that attitude? How can that affect your view of your local church?
¶ How do you feel to know that God keeps a “book of remembrance” (3:16) about your faithful service to Him? How does the anticipation of eternity as described in the rest of the book encourage you through the difficulties you face in your service?
Finances
Weekly Budget 32,692
Giving For 11/12 52,413
Giving For 11/19 39,892
YTD Budget 686,538
Giving 620,995
(Under) (65,543)
Christmas at Fellowship
Join us for a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service on Sunday, December 24, at 10:45 am and 4 pm. Both services are the same, including a time for the children to come to the stage to enjoy a reading of the Christmas story. Invite your family and friends to join you as we worship Emmanuel, God with us.
New to Fellowship?
We are so glad that you joined the Fellowship Family to worship this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift.
Fellowship Kids Parents Night out
Parents, load up your kids (4th grade and under) in their pjs and drop them off with us. Snacks and fun provided while you enjoy a few hours of quiet time, shopping, or a date night! Register at www.fellowshipconway.org/register by November 24.
Fellowship Women’s Potluck and PJ Party
Ladies, let’s get together Thursday, December 7, 6:00 p.m. at 11 Skyland Drive (home of Amy McKissack), for a heart-warming evening filled with delicious food and good company. Bring your favorite dish to share and wear your favorite comfy clothes or PJs.
Fellowship App
Download the Fellowship App to have message slides, resources, and Home Church questions, complete with the links to the various Scriptures at your fingertips. Search “Fellowship Conway” in the app store.
Perspectives
Perspectives is a fifteen-lesson discipleship course exploring different aspects of God’s global purpose in a multi-faceted learning experience. You will journey with believers from across our community, clarifying each believer’s remarkable opportunity to co-labor with God in His global purpose. You have an integral role to play in God’s story! For more information, contact Brianjamesdarnell81@gmail.com. Class starts January 16. Register and pay by December 31 to save $25. Partial scholarships and childcare available.
Fellowship Giving
Fellowship has three ways to give. Baskets are at every exit where you can place your offering this morning. Giving envelopes are available at the Connection Center. Gifts can be given through our website at fellowshipconway.org/give or through the app. There, you can set up recurring giving or one-time gifts with a credit card, debit card, or through your checking account.
Operation Christmas Child
On Sunday, December 10 we will put a bow on National Collection Week as we share and celebrate the total number of boxes packed at Fellowship, as well as our River Valley Area! You won’t want to miss it!